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AILA Statement on INS Commissioner Resignation

AILA Doc No. 02081645 | Dated August 16, 2002

American Immigration Lawyers AssociationPress
Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 16, 2002

CONTACTAmanda Carufel, (202) 216-2404

INS Commissioner Resigns

Statement by Jeanne Butterfield, Executive Director

Washington, DC—The American Immigration Lawyers Association receives with
regret the news today that Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
Commissioner James Ziglar has announced his resignation, effective at the end of
this year.

“We thank Commissioner Ziglar for his calm voice of reason reminding us not
to equate immigrants with terrorists, his steady leadership in tackling the
challenges of backlogs and inefficiencies at the beleaguered INS, and his
thoughtful perspective on how we can improve our nation’s security and affirm
our tradition as a nation of immigrants,” said Jeanne Butterfield, Executive
Director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. “Mr. Ziglar will
be missed by AILA. We wish him the very best.”

“As the Administration begins its search for a new leader of our immigration
system, we urge the President to seek out a leader who, like Mr.
Ziglar, recognizes the critical role that immigration plays in keeping our
nation strong and vibrant. Immigrants who come to America to contribute
their hard work and needed skills, to reunite with close family members, and to
seek protection from persecution, should be treated with dignity and respect
under our nation’s laws. The INS needs strong, positive leadership to set
the agency on a forward-looking course.”

“A sweeping overhaul of the immigration system is critical. As the
Administration and Congress rush to create a new cabinet-level Department of
Homeland Security, they cannot ignore the urgent need to reform the INS.
Service functions, such as administering citizenship tests and evaluating
immigration applications, must be separated from, but coordinated with,
enforcement functions within the same agency. A strong leader with the authority
to develop and administer immigration policy for the entire agency must be
placed at the helm.”

# # #

Founded in 1946, AILA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that
provides its Members with continuing legal education, information, and
professional services. AILA advocates before Congress and the Administration and
provides liaison with the INS and other government agencies. AILA is an
Affiliated Organization of the American Bar Association.